Britain's Mark Cavendish and his HTC-Highroad team drove its train into the depot at Chateuroux Friday with a full head of steam. With all nine of its riders alive and kicking with five kilometers to go, one by one they released like boosters rockets to leave Cavendish unleash his fury in the in the final 400 meters. For their efforts, Cavendish notched his 17th career stage victory and second of this still young Tour de France.
The race was slowed by headwinds and numerous riders said narrow roads and 'nervousness' may have played a factor in a major crash with 35 kilometers to go. One of the event's podium pre-event favorites Bradley Wiggins of Britain crashed out of the race. Several other contenders were caught out including Alexander Vinokourov and American Chris Horner of Radio Shack, who went to the hospital after the race and had a fractured nose and concussion. Levi Leipheimer, for the third day in a row, suffered a crash. Yesterday, he hit a painted part of a slick road and went down when the pace was high. Today, he crashed but also needed a front wheel change again when things were revving up, damaging his Top 10 hopes. "It's not been my Tour so far," said Leipheimer.
Garmin-Cervelo continued its first week dominance, as Thor Hushovd continues to look like a his super hero first name. He was again featured in the bunch sprint as he held on to the yellow jersey. He will be tested during Saturday's stage, as the tour finds its way into the Massif Central, an old volcanic region not often featured in the Tour de France. The central region is pocked with steep climbs. It is another fitting twist to what's been an unpredictable Tour to date. (Just what the organizers at ASO had planned.)
What up with that?: My 15-year-old son, who has grown up around major cycling tours, asked today why 'four to five 'no name' riders go off the front every day and get caught within the final miles of the race?' It's simple: face time. The name of the game in professional cycling is sponsor recognition. There are no paid tickets, unless you have one at one of the many VIP tents near the finish. For teams that otherwise are swallowed up and never see the light of day for various category jerseys, or general classification high finishes, or stage wins, it's a way of getting their sponsors recognized on the world's biggest stage. Hours of their sponsor's name blasted into more than 180 countries pays the bills and keeps a team afloat.
Stage 8 predictions: Saturday is not a day for the sprinters, and maybe not the pure climbers. With so many contenders banged up or out of normal position, Saturday's is a bit unpredictable. The race could produce a breakaway that sticks. The subplot is whether Hushovd will loose the yellow jersey. He's riding so well, he could easily keep it. Then, there are riders like Alexander Vinokourov who could roll away from the peloton to try to steal time and a stage win. With a steep Category 2 followed by a finishing Category 3 climb up to Super Bessy Sancy, it provides a unique opportunity to grab seconds. A motivated Alberto Contador could make a go to steal some time and find an unlikely compatriot in Vinokourov. Frenchmen Sylvian Chavanel (still smarting from a crash a couple days ago) and Thomas Voeckler are good bets to take a run at the stage win. Still, best bets may be on Spaniards Luis or Sammy Sanchez and Juan Antonio Flecha. Even Philippe Gilbert, riding superbly, could be in the mix. HTC-Highroad's Teejay Van Garderen of the U.S. is also in a unique position, riding well, and excels on shorter, punchy climbs. He could show up. Waiting in the wings to take over the jersey are Cadel Evans, Frank Schelck or Andreas Kloden. However, smart money would be on Vinokourov on a cheeky break away or if a small group remains toward the summit of the final climb, Contador or Evans laying down down the law in a statement of things to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment